Health & Fitness
What Is Macronutrients?
Macronutrients are the three nutrients the body needs in large amounts — protein, carbohydrates and fat — which supply all dietary energy.
Macronutrients ("macros") are the nutrients required in large quantities: protein (4 kcal/g) for building and repairing tissue, carbohydrates (4 kcal/g) as the primary fuel source, and fats (9 kcal/g) for hormones, cell membranes and energy storage.
Common intake guidance is 10–35% of calories from protein, 45–65% from carbohydrates and 20–35% from fat, though athletes and specific diets shift these ratios substantially. Fiber, vitamins and minerals are micronutrients — needed in small amounts and calorie-free.